Cattle guard



Jam 12 1926.

w. B. PLUNKETT CATTLE GUARD Filed April 1 1924 IIiu rlll INVENTOR. MBJ lurIfieIl Patented Jan. 12, 1926.

UNITED STATES WILLIS B. PLUNKETT, OF CLAYTON, NEW MEXICO.

CATTLE GUARD.

Application filed April 1, 1924. Serial No; 703,455.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, VVILLIS B. PLUNKETT, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Clayton, in the county of Union and State of New Mexico, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cattle Guards, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in cattle guards and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character adapted to be placed in a fence line or the like to prevent cattle, horses, and other live stock from crossing and to permit automobiles and other vehicles to pass over the guard without the necessity of the driver having to stop to open a gate.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character of a portable type so that the same can be readily removed when desired for the purpose of cleaning out rubbish, snow or other accummulated material which interferes with the requisite operation of the guard.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of this general character embodying a plurality of cross members or slats normally supported with their flat faces vertically dis posed but which readily yield as a vehicle passes thereover.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved cattle guard whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous foruse, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in perspective illustrating a cattle guard constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through the device as herein disclosed;

Figure 3 is a fragmentaryview partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating in detail the mounting of a cross member or slat and the operative connection therewith of an associated bar. 1

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, my improved guard comprises end sills 1 of desired dimensions and which have their extremities connected by the side sills 2. Also connecting the end sills 1 is an intermediate or central sill 3. Suitably secured to and extending upwardly from the opposite ends of each of the sills 2 and at a The lower marginal portion of each of the planks 7 is provided therealong with a series of spaced recesses 9 in each of which is engaged a trunnion 10 extending outwardly from the lower marginal portion of a cross member or slat 11, the side or flat faces of the members or slats 11 being normally vertically disposed. Each of the cross members or slats 11 is provided adjacent its opposite ends with yokes or U irons 12 straddling the member or slat 11 from above with the side members thereof extending a major distance across the side or flat faces of the beam whereby the applied yokes or irons 12 serve to effectively reinforce the slat and particularly to prevent the same from splitting.

The applied yokes or irons 12 provide loops 14 extending above the upper or outer longitudinal margins of the slats 11 and freely engaged with the loops 14 at similar ends of the slats 11 are the loop members 15 depending from the bars 16, said bars 16 being positioned in relatively close proximity to the adjacent extremities of the slats 11; The bars 16 provide means whereby the slats 11 will swing in unison to their upper or lower positions.

Operatively engaged, as at 17, with the opposite end portions of each of the bars 16 is a retractile member 18, herein disclosed as a coil spring, the opposite ends of which being secured to the extremities of the adjacent elongated member 5. The spring 18 serves to normally maintain the cross members or slats 11 in their raised position but without undue tension thereon so that when cattle or other stock come in contact with a cross member or slat 11, the resultant vibration thereof will appear dangerous to the animal.

However, should an automobile or other vehicle pass over the guard, the cross members of slats 11 will readily swing downwardly so that no undue hinderance or obstruction will be offered to the passage of such vehicle over the guard.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a cattle guard constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and oper ated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 2- A cattle guard comprising, in combination, side sills, cross slats positioned between said sills, said slats and side sill having coacting means for supporting said slats for swinging movement in a vertical direction, bars operatively engaged with the opposite end portions of the slats to cause the same to swing in unison, an upstanding guard structure carried by each of the sills and extending therealong, and retractile members operatively engaged with the opposite end portions of the bars and with the guards, said retractile members normally maintaining the slats in their raised position but without undue tension thereon, said retractile members being placed under tension upon downward swinging movement of the slats.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiiX my signature.

\VILLIS B. PLUNKETT. 

